What Not to Do When Displaying Art in Your Bath

Of all the places you can display art at home, the bath has long been the most controversial. On the one hand, it seems fitting that you would want to be able to enjoy your favorite works in the most intimate space in your house. On the other, bathrooms (more specifically, tubs and showers) produce a lot of moisture and steam, a dangerous environment for precious pieces. Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller—the husband-and-wife team behind Carrier and Company Interiors—know the importance of good art in a bath. With the help of their frame-savvy friends at the Gallery of Graphic Arts, they gathered their foolproof tips for choosing the right piece—and ensuring it stays in tip-top shape.

Don't hang just any artwork

The biggest issue you'll face displaying art in your bathroom is humidity. “Moisture—especially if it gets trapped under the glass—can seriously stain artwork and matting," Carrier says. If you’re at all worried about damage, he suggests sticking with “inexpensive pieces, particularly works on canvas or ones without glass or glazing.”

Don't keep doors and windows closed

An easy way to keep humidity at bay: Let some fresh air in. “Most art can work in your bathroom as long as you can keep steam buildup to a minimum,” Miller says. “So make a habit of using your exhaust fan and keeping the windows open whenever possible, to let your artwork breathe.”

Don't choose an elaborate setup

When it comes to figuring out how to display your art, Miller recommends simple wood frames. “Stay away from gold leaf and other fragile details,” she says. “If the art requires glazing, use acrylic, which allows air to flow through but won’t break.”

Don't forget about sculpture

Even better, choose a decoration that doesn't need to be framed. “We like to use sculptural, 3-D artworks, such as plaster intaglios, that can stand alone,” says Carrier. “Not only will this save you from moisture damage, it also offers a more interesting bathroom display.”

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